5 spd vs. 6spd

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Mar 18, 2011 | 07:45 PM

#11

Faast Ed

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Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 7,580

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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman in NC

My brother and I both have Heritages. His is an '06' five speed and mine is an '09' six speed. To tell you the truth I can't really tell any difference. He also gets the same or better gas milage than me. I wouldn't let that be my deal breaker.

I'm betting you do most of your riding at lower speed.

Mar 18, 2011 | 07:49 PM

#12

TORQUEY

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2010

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From: East Coast

Having 6th gears is great, but don't confuse 6th with overdrive. Some of the later 5 speed bikes used 5th as an overdrive gear, not 1:1 ratio.

Mar 18, 2011 | 08:38 PM

#13

byersmtrco

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Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 3,714

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From: San Ramon, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by TORQUEY

Having 6th gears is great, but don't confuse 6th with overdrive. Some of the later 5 speed bikes used 5th as an overdrive gear, not 1:1 ratio.

Nope. they're all 1 to 1 ratio. They changed the gearing in the primary to compensate, which is partially do-able with a 5 spd, but it'll raise all the gear ratios. That's not a probelm if you have the horses to pull the taller gears.
You can also change the transmission drive pulley, but that will throw your speedometer off.

An exception is the Screamin Eagle trans which does have true overdrive, but none were equipped from the factory with that.

Mar 18, 2011 | 08:39 PM

#14

HarleyCamper

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

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From: Augusta, GA

Most of us that are replying have the 6th gear so it's easy for us to say how great it is. Haven't really heard much from the 5 gearheads. I've had both. You can definitely live without it, but I have to admit, my favorite aspect is not having to wonder whether you've got another gear ahead of you. The idiot light won't let you screw up. And it's true, it is smooth.

Mar 18, 2011 | 08:40 PM

#15

Sgt_Jim

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Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 3,048

Likes: 3

From: Central Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by aysrav

I had a 5 gear Sportster, and on the highway I was constantly looking for a 6th.. so honestly, the 6th is so much nicer... now who wants to buy me a Baker 7 speed?

Mar 19, 2011 | 12:44 AM

#16

tunaman

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,523

Likes: 312

From: Out of Commiefornia!

The biggest difference I noticed is in the actual gearing on the lower gears... when riding across the Angeles Crest Highway in So Cal with my bro, I was able to stay in 3rd gear nearly the whole way (6 speed) while he was having to continously shift between 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the speeds we were running.

I also did see that I wanted to grab for a phantom 6th gear at higher speeds when we swapped.

Based on my experiences on his 5 speed I much prefer my 6 speed!

Roger

Mar 19, 2011 | 01:24 AM

#17

Bluehighways

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 3,393

Likes: 260

From: Southern California

You know, after I put in the 103" Kit, and the cams, etc. I keep looking for that 7th Gear at around 75 or 80 . . . just sayin' this nonsense never ends . . .

Mar 19, 2011 | 01:29 AM

#18

klf33

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,796

Likes: 36

From: Toronto, Ontario

I used to race, when I bought a Harley I was not interested in performance but 'Feel' and not interested in speed but 'Cruising', and I enjoy the freeways.
I have an open face helmet, no windshield, and not in a rush on my bike, never go above 65 and never felt the need for 6th, specially with the 37 Andrews Cam.

For my style of riding, I would like 6 Speed only if I am changing the sprocket to get faster out of red line power while keeping my cruising RPM comfortable .

If you ride 5 you never miss it, if you ride 6 and do a lot of above 60 you will like it.

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